The Process of Collection Development

In addition to explaining what the library will collect, the collection development policy should also explain how the library will collect and evaluate materials.  This information falls into the following areas.

Materials selection.  How will specific materials be chosen for inclusion in the collection?  What criteria will be used in selecting materials?  Who will be responsible?

Acquisitions.  How will library materials be acquired?  What kinds of vendors will be used?  Will the library use subscriptions and standing orders?

Gifts.  How will gifts of materials to the library be handled?

Collection Assessment.  How will the collection be evaluated and improved?

Weeding or de-selection.  How will materials be removed from the collection when they become dilapidated or out-of-date.  How will these materials be disposed?